2008 Ho'olaule'a – A gathering of golf, networking, food and fellowship

This year’s Ho’olaule’a  was more than par for the course. A golf tournament on Wednesday kicked-off the week-long events, and it was reported through the grapevine that merry alumni goings-on continued throughout the week-end.

A Golf Tournament with all-around winners

Fore! The annual alumni golf tournament was held on July 9. Alumni representing the Class of 1955 through 2003 shared the afternoon at Navy Marine Golf Course, complete with a 19th hole fellowship at Sam Snead’s Tavern and Restaurant. Congratulations to Myron Mizuta (‘72) for lowest net score and three greenies (closest to the pin), Todd Inoshita (‘92) for one greenie, and Don Chinen (‘87) for lowest gross score.

A big mahalo to our team members and donors, who topped off the event with door prizes galore. Every golfer left the fellowship with a prize in hand. Contributors of the door prizes include: Reid Takatsuka (‘83), Arnold Wong (‘83), Darren Wada (‘87), Joel Tamashiro (‘90); Creditback Rewards, Waikiki PARC Hotel, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Sheraton Waikiki, Roger Dunn Golf Store and many more contributors.

A Midsummer Day’s Networking Luncheon

Threads of connections, interests, and contacts were indeed spun during the Thursday networking luncheon. The elementary parlor was abuzz with conversation and laughter. One could almost see a unique web being formed as our participants learned more about each other’s occupations and reconnected.

Chad Hamm (‘78) flew in from Petaluma, CA looking to see familiar faces. Hamm, self-employed in the stocks, bonds & real estate markets, connected with another jet-setter, Julie Hughes Ryan (‘78), a professor at The George Washington University, who flew all the way from Pasadena, MD. These two alumni are not only from the same class, but are also interested in the start-up idea of regional alumni associations on the mainland.

Board Member Ron Shiira (‘75) then presented exciting news to the networking group. “An official HBA Alumni Association is underway,” he said. “After so many alumni have come up to me and ask, ‘Why don’t we have an alumni association,’ it starts to wake you up a bit.” Shiira’s announcement was well-received and there is actually quite a bit more to say about it. (Please look for an in-depth article in our upcoming summer issue of the HBA newsletter).

Tour of state-of-the-art facilities

Late Friday afternoon, dozens of alumni, family and friends embarked on a lively tour of the middle school campus. In a back-to-back presentation, President Bento led one tour group, while VP George Moyer led another.
 
“People who come to this school are kind of blown away with how the school blends in with the environment—we didn’t build a school, we created a campus,” said George Moyer. Alumni nodded with approval and reminiscent murmurs of “we used to go hiking around this area,” and “we used to goof around back there all the time,” were heard among the crowd. Pausing at the state-of-the-art computer lab, alumni looked out of large picture windows into a very green surrounding indeed.

The fellowship and the feast

Alumni were prompt in making their appearances at the dinner program. Held at the middle school multi-purpose room, the Class of ‘78 actually enjoyed a mini reunion within the larger reunion with about 27 members representing their group.

Great food and entertainment by guitar duo Jon Osorio, husband of Mary Osorio (’78), and Steve Brown rounded out the Ho’olaule’a fanfare.  Mary then surprised the audience with a beautiful hula upon her husband's request.

Bob Kam (‘66) - 2008 Distinguished Alum

Bob Kam is an active member of University Avenue Baptist Church who never ceases to help family, friends and church members with their remodeling and handyman repairs. Kam helped to renovate his pastor’s home and replaced the roof, doors and windows of his church. He recently went on a mission trip to Juarez, and is active with assisting the homeless here at home through River of Life missions.

Kam has two children, Jonathan Kam (’97) and Janelle Kam (Magruder) (’94). He is an exceptional supporter of HBA and had this to say about his alma mater. “I will always support HBA. I’m proud not necessarily of the records (i.e., State Championships) but of the number of children who make commitments to Jesus Christ.”